Deadline approaching for water supply assistance program

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Farmers wishing to access financial assistance under the Canada-Saskatchewan Water Supply Expansion Program have until March 1, 2007, to file their applications.

The deadline applies to Tier One/On-Farm Infrastructure projects under the program.

Mark Geremia, Regional Ag-Water Manager with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), says this part of the program is relevant to projects on individual farms.

“It mostly pertains to small on-farm projects that include the dugout water supplies, wells and pasture pipelines. Typically, they are serving as livestock watering systems,” he stated.

The objective of the Water Supply Expansion Program is to provide assistance to the agricultural community to reduce the risk of future water shortages, and to meet water needs through the planning and development of secure, healthy and reliable water resources.

Successful applicants can receive funding for up to one-third of eligible project costs to a maximum of $5,000 per project.

“We target the best management practices for developing a better, more sustainable water supply,” said Geremia. “Some examples would be getting dugouts located in the best area for collecting run-off and sizing them properly, or having direct cattle access excluded to protect the longevity of the dugout.”

Applicants must complete an application for assistance, which includes project information such as location, description, estimated project costs, estimated start and completion dates, and sources of funding. Assistance is tied to the cost of materials and labour required to develop the eligible water source.

Geremia says it is important for applicants to consider the long-term implications of their projects.

“We would like the opportunity to work with applicants to see if there are options for more reliable water supplies than collecting run-off in a dugout,” he noted. “For example, you could be looking at pasture pipeline systems that would take water from a reliable well site, which could be cost-competitive with building a standard dugout in some instances.”

The application forms for assistance are available from AAFC and PFRA (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration) offices, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, and also online at www.agr.gc.ca/h2o. Interested producers can also learn more by calling 1-800-667-8567.

Geremia says there is plenty of support available for anyone who is developing an application under the program.

“We have a network of field offices where we have technicians who can help with some pre-planning,” he stated.

It is important to note that this is the final year of the four-year national Water Supply Expansion Program, and therefore, the March 1 deadline is the last chance to take advantage of this funding.

For more information, contact:
Mark Geremia, Regional Ag-Water Manager
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Phone: (306) 780-5653